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Are Polioviruses a Cause of Schizophrenia?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

John M. Eagles
John M. Eagles*
Affiliation:
Ross Clinic, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen AB9 2ZF
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Abstract

Pre-natal infection with polioviruses could contribute to the subsequent development of schizophrenia. The hypothesis draws support from the declining incidence of schizophrenia, the excess of schizophrenic winter births, and the increased rates of schizophrenia among West Indian immigrants. There are parallels with other late sequelae of poliovirus infections. These postulations generate a testable hypothesis of a genetic link between schizophrenia and susceptibility to poliomyelitis.

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The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 160 , Issue 5 , May 1992 , pp. 598 - 600
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1992 

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